Riaz burrows in for bragging rights

Crossleyans picked up local bragging rights and climbed above Driffield after a fast, entertaining derby victory.

Neil Richardson and Ollie Ackroyd swapped penalties to 6-6 before Crossleyans started to get on top with winger Lee Thomas and prop Mark Palmer going over to put them 18-6 in front.

Brodleians seized on home mistakes and pulled a try back through Joe Armitage, converted by Ackroyd.

There was still time for Richardson to land his third successful kick before half-time and a second exchange of penalties saw Crossleyans leading 24-16 going into the last quarter.

The game-breaking try came after pressure from the home pack with Manny Riaz burrowing to the line.

Driffield 20 Cleckheaton 34

UNLUCKY Driffield were left without a point after visitors Cleckheaton scored a late try.

Back row Ryan Piercy claimed the first of his two tries early on but Driffield hit back with winger James Short touching down after a half-break from Tom Davey.

Cleckheaton opened a 22-5 lead at half-time, tries from hooker Steve Worsley, winger Lee Queally and Piercy ensuring the try bonus point was already in the bag by the break.h Ross Hayden kicked a conversion.

Driffield battled well and Will Ollett’s break sent in left winger Dan Smith. Lee Birch added the conversion, and a penalty shortly after brought them to within seven points of their rivals.

But stand-off Jonathan Marshall added a late try for Cleckheaton which Hayden converted to secure the win.

Pontefract 10 Morpeth 17

Pontefract remain rooted in the bottom two after an uninspiring display left them without a win in March.

Eight away defeats is the main reason they are in this plight but hopes of using home advantage to boost their position quickly faded even though Andy Dean kicked them into an early lead with a penalty.

That was quickly cancelled out and Morpeth then ran in a converted try. Pontefract squared things before the break when scrum-half Richard Fletcher offloaded to Dean, who put full-back Nev Batemen over.

Morpeth went back in front with a converted try after the break and Pontefract struck a post with a penalty.

Wheatley Hills 38 Carlisle 17

Wheatley Hills maintained their one-point advantage over Cleckheaton.

Wheatley took the lead when left winger Tom Barker scraped over in the corner for a try which Guy Townsley did well to convert.

Stand-off Grant Connon crossed for a converted try and a penalty by Connon put Carlisle 10-7 up.

Wheatley, who had lost two back-row forwards and a second-row through injury, edged back in front two minutes before the break when scrum-half Ian Barker added a try and dominated after the turnround. Ian Barker scored his second try which Townsley converted, and five minutes later No 8 Gareth Burns went over.

Townsley then converted tries by Michael Hayward and Tom Barker before Carlisle score a converted try.